41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma is in custody accused of faking his own drowning last month in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says they are now able to tell the whole story and how law enforcement from multiple states worked together to capture Emde.

Cut 12 (10) “…don’t work.” 

Emde was arrested in Georgia Sunday on a motorcycle with no plates.

The Marijuana Policy Project releases a voter guide for the October 14th primary so voters can see where the candidates stand on a variety of cannabis issues. Southeast Legislative Manager at M-P-P, Kevin Caldwell…

Cut 8 (11) “…I’ve seen.” 

Gasoline taxes in Louisiana go towards funding the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges in the Bayou State. The current 20-cent per gallon tax hasn’t been raised in more than thirty years but Louisiana Business and Industry President Jim Patterson is calling for a change…

Cut 5 (10) “…to happen.”

The gas tax increase is a portion of LABI’s strategic plan for the state.

The Saints are 2-0 for the first time since 2013 after a 20-17 win over Carolina last night. Coach Dennis Allen says the offense started slow, but scored two touchdowns in the second half…
cut 16 (13) “…better”
New Orleans is at Green Bay this Sunday.

The state’s 20-cent per gallon gas tax help fund existing infrastructure projects across the Bayou State. LABI Managing Partner of Economic Leadership Ted Abernathy says when your state depends on logistics for employment and your roads are crumbling and you don’t have the type of infrastructure you need to keep jobs…

Cut 6 (11) “…tough choices.”

41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma, who was reported missing and presumed drowned after kayaking on the Mississippi River, is in custody and accused of faking his own drowning in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina. On Sunday Georgia State Police pulled over a motorcycle for not having a license plate. The driver fled, crashed, and gave them a fake name. Campagne St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says fingerprints revealed Emde’s identity and arrest record. As for charges he could face in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (09) “…in North Carolina.”

A perinatal mental health unit is scheduled to open at Woman’s Hospital next year and will be one of several in the U.S. dedicated to the specialized needs of pregnant and postpartum women. President Rene Ragas says mental health challenges are a leading cause of maternal mortality.

Cut 13 (12) “…right now.”

It was another win for the New Orleans Saints last night after beating the Carolina Panthers 20-17 in Charlotte. The Saints are not 2-0 for the first time since 2013. New Orleans held Carolina to 100 rushing yards, rookie QB Bryce Young threw for 153 yards and he was sacked four times. Allen says the defense followed the game plan….

Cut 17 (16) “…game plan”

Here is a strange story. 41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma is in custody accused of faking his own drowning in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Students are back at St. Helena College and Career Academy for the first time in a week. Last Tuesday, a 16-year-old student was fatally shot by a fellow 14-year-old student as school was letting out. The suspected shooter is in custody.

The Marijuana Policy Project has released a voter guide for the October 14th primary so voters can see where the candidates, as well as incumbent legislators, stand on a variety of cannabis issues. Southeast Legislative Manager at M-P-P, Kevin Caldwell, says gubernatorial candidate Sharon Hewitt received an “F” grade…
Cut 7 (10) “…support legalization.”
Republican Richard Nelson is the only gubernatorial candidate to receive an “A” grade.

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge announces plans to build the state’s first inpatient mental health unit that would provide treatment to pregnant and postpartum patients. Senior Vice President of Patient Care Cheri Barker Johnson says the ten beds on the hospital’s fourth floor will allow mothers to spend time with their newborns while they receive treatment for mental health and mood disorders…
cut 15 (12) “….might need”
The unit is expected to be open next fall.

Gasoline taxes in Louisiana go towards funding the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. The current 20-cent per gallon tax hasn’t been raised in more than 30 years but Louisiana Business and Industry President Jim Patterson is calling for that to change.
Cut 4 (09) “…infrastructure.”
L-A-B-I’s push for a higher gasoline tax is part of its L-A 23 Strategic Plan that contains several ideas on how to position Louisiana as an economic leader in the South by 2030.

The Marijuana Policy Project has released a voter guide ahead of the October 14th primary. Kevin Caldwell says the guide lets voters know where the candidates and incumbent legislators stand on cannabis issues…
cut 9 (12) “….constituents use”
Go to m-p-p-dot-org to see the guide.

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge will open the state’s first 10-bed inpatient mental health unit for pregnant and postpartum women. President Rene Ragas says mental health challenges are a leading cause of maternal mortality.
Cut 13 (12) “…right now.”
The unit is expected to open next fall and it will allow mothers to spend time with their newborns as they receive mental health treatments.

The Saints are 2-0 for the first time since 2013 after a 20-17 win over Carolina last night. Coach Dennis Allen says the offense started slow, but scored two touchdowns in the second half…
cut 16 (13) “…better”
New Orleans is at Green Bay this Sunday.

Louisiana’s gas tax goes towards funding roads and bridges. And the state’s largest business association says it’s time to increase it.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New poll numbers are out on the governor’s race. According to the survey conducted by Gray Media and Mason-Dixon polling, 40-percent of the respondents said they plan on voting for Republican Jeff Landry in the October 14th primary. 24-percent said Democrat Shawn Wilson and nine-percent said Republican Stephen Waguespack. Everyone else had four-percent or lower.

41-year-old Melvin Emde of Oklahoma is in custody accused of faking his own drowning in Louisiana to avoid child rape charges in North Carolina. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says on August 7th they received a call from Emde’s son that his father went under while kayaking on the Mississippi River near Hahnville. Champagne says they were immediately suspicious because he missed court in North Carolina…
Cut 10 (04) “…a hoax.”
Emde was arrested in Georgia on Sunday after trying to flee authorities while riding a motorcycle that did not have a license plate.

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge announces a first for Louisiana, a plan to build a mental health unit to treat pregnant, postpartum patients. Senior Vice President of Patient Care Cheri Barker Johnson…
cut 14 (11) “…of things”
The hospital plans to open the unit next fall.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted on child rape charges in North Carolina attempted to fake his own death in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

We’ll have more on this story tomorrow…

In DeSoto Parish, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to close this morning after a possible fentanyl exposure. Three employees were transported to the hospital and are listed in stable condition. State police are assisting with the investigation and clean-up.

A Rapides Parish man has been arrested on three counts of simple arson for setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods faces several years in prison if convicted…

Cut 11 (10) “…15 years”
Strain says thanks to quick action by state and local firefighters, both fires remained small in size and impact.

Will Green President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association says local car dealerships already ordered extra parts and vehicles in anticipation of the United Auto Worker’s strike, which began Friday, but if the strike lingers…

Cut 3 (05) “…of parts.”

The last UAW strike in 2019, last 40 days. Green says auto manufacturers are almost caught up with supply chain shortages from the pandemic.

Another round of evacuation orders have been issued to residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish after fire crews lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire. Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says there’s still a potential the fires can reignite.

Cut 8 (12) “…we can.”

Nearly 200 acres burned where the fire breached and crossed the highway.

A Rapides Parish man has been charged for allegedly setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods set several wildfires off Highway 500 and W-W Melton Road. Commissioner Mike Strain says the fires remained small in size and impact.

Cut 10 (12) “…acre each.”

Setliff faces three counts of simple arson for the fires set in Grant Parish.

Could the United Auto Workers’ strike impact the automobile supply chain? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

State Police is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that killed a male and female on LA Hwy 133 in Caldwell Parish. 60-year-old Melanie Gray and 43-year-old Brinkley Thomas of Columbia were killed when the vehicle driven by Gray was traveling north on LA Hwy 133 for unknown reasons exited the roadway and hit a tree. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department announces the arrest of a Rapides Parish man for allegedly setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods set several wildfires off Highway 500 and W-W Melton Road…

Cut 9 (09) “…multiple homes” 

Strain says thanks to the rapid response of local and state firefighters, the fires remained small in size and impact

Residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish are under a voluntary evacuation after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire due to wind and dry conditions. Sheriff’s office Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says out of caution for drivers the highway has been shut down due to low visibility.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Singer” 

A voluntary evacuation has also been ordered for residents on the west side of La. 27 to Juanita.

The first round of grants of up to 10 thousand dollars for a homeowner to fortify their roof will be available on October 2nd. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New data from the Louisiana Automobile Auto Dealers Association, finds Louisiana’s new car and heavy truck dealers generated more than $19 billion in total sales in 2022 and supported more than 36,000 direct and indirect jobs. LADA President Will Green says the automotive industry has several benefits and it can be lucrative also.

Cut 5 (08) “ …a year.”  

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted on child rape charges in North Carolina attempted to fake his own death in Louisiana….
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police says there is an ongoing scam where the fraudsters are attempting to use the authority of the L-S-P in an effort to obtain information and money from victims. Potential victims are receiving calls from a phone number belonging to State Police and the caller is pretending to be law enforcement and attempting to gain personal information and money from the victim over the phone.

Another evacuation order has been issued for residents near Singer in Beauregard Parish after firefighters lost containment of the Tiger Island Fire due to wind and dry conditions. Beauregard Parish Sheriff Spokesperson Shannon Burgess says approximately 200 acres burned where the fire breached and crossed the highway.
Cut 6 (12) “…in danger.”
Air tankers are being used to drop water on the flames.

State Fire Marshal investigators believe a deadly fire that tragically killed a mother and her two children last week in St. John the Baptist Parish started in the kitchen area of the home. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they may have pinpointed a cause.
Cut 12 (10) “…in the home”
Rodrigue says there were no working smoke alarms.

We all remember how the pandemic impacted the automobile supply chain, but could it happen again with the United Auto Workers’ strike? Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are also facing a shortage of rain and the Tiger Island Fire has produced another round of evacuation orders in Singer. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shannon Burgess says keep an eye on their Facebook page for more updates…
cut 8 (12) “…we can”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has released more information into last week’s fatal fire in St. John Baptist Parish that killed a woman and her two small children. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they believe faulty wiring connected to the stove may have started the deadly blaze and there were no working smoke alarms in the home…
cut 13 (11) “…escape safely”

A Rapides Parish man has been arrested on three counts of simple arson for setting wildfires in Grant Parish last week. State Agricutlure and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 32-year-old Michael Setliff of Flatwoods faces several years in prison if convicted…
cut 11 (10) “…15 years”
Strain says thanks to quick action by state and local firefighters, both fires remained small in size and impact.